Advising Nonprofits, NGOs, and Social Enterprises

Partnerships with hundreds of mission-driven nonprofits, NGOs, and referral agencies around the world are essential to our pro bono program. By collaborating and co-counseling with these frontline organizations, we increase our reach and enhance our ability to help those who would otherwise be denied representation, equality, or justice.

We also support the operational and governance needs of the organizations to enable them to thrive and maximize their impact. Our work includes drafting, reviewing, and negotiating lease and partnership agreements; taking on board governance matters; addressing and managing conflicts of interest; advising on charity formation and tax law; and ensuring compliance with tax-exempt status.

Below are some of the nonprofits and social enterprises we have had the privilege of advising this year:

• 1001fontaines uses social microenterprises to help rural populations produce safe drinking water. Our lawyers assisted 1001fontaines UK with governance and employment advice and we continued to assist the nonprofit with corporate and commercial matters in France.


• Accion International is committed to creating a financially inclusive world with access to economic opportunity for all. We assisted the nonprofit by reviewing its investment documents.


• Annie’s T Cakes is a California-based, Asian American and woman-owned business that creates sustainably sourced, vegan and gluten-free snacks and desserts tailored to Asian American diets, with the goal of creating a better food system. Our lawyers assisted Annie’s T Cakes by drafting a wholesale contract for the business to use with large-scale retailers.


• Associazione Fenice provides a network of support for disadvantaged people in major cities in Italy by supplying them with meals and essential goods. Latham assisted the nonprofit with incorporation and governance advice.


• AwareMade is a Black-owned, high-performance clothing brand and social enterprise focused on reducing waste in the fashion industry and creating jobs in underserved communities. Latham assisted predecessors of AwareMade in its corporate restructuring efforts and formation and launch of the new brand.


• Black Girls Ruck supports and encourages Black women and non-binary individuals to participate in rugby. Our lawyers are advising this nonprofit on the most appropriate legal structure to adopt in its incorporation, given the organization’s operational needs and proposed governance arrangements.


• Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides afterschool programs for young people across the US to help them reach their full potential. We advised on the merger of two California chapters, among other matters.


• Fundación BLUM supports social innovation projects and promotes social entrepreneurship to tackle socio-economic disadvantages faced by women and families in vulnerable situations in Spain. We have assisted BLUM with the formalization of its commercial relationships.


• Future Leaders Initiative provides scholarships for underprivileged students to continue their academic studies. Our lawyers provided the nonprofit with advice on setting up a charitable organization in the UAE and advice on the advantages of registering a charity in certain jurisdictions, including the UK and countries in the EU.


• METCH will assist refugees in Germany by connecting them with expert business mentors, supporting aspiring entrepreneurs, and helping individuals excel in their careers. Latham has been advising METCH on the incorporation of a nonprofit entity, including providing tax advice.


• Project Preemie focuses on improving the health of preterm babies and their mothers. It conducts research on preventing early pregnancy loss and preterm births and improving maternal and child health in a holistic manner as part of an effort to improve public health in Hong Kong. We are assisting the nonprofit to incorporate and apply for charitable status.


• SOKO Community Trust (SCT) works to reduce period poverty in Kenya through the Kujuwa Initiative. It does so in part by producing and distributing upcycled, reusable period products and providing training and support on health, rights, and menstrual hygiene management. Our lawyers assisted SCT in establishing the Kujuwa Initiative as an England and Wales-registered charity and advised SCT on its charity governance policies.